America is in complete chaos. There is unrest everywhere, and people who wish to harm Black people, Muslims, immigrants, and minorities in general. The events in Charlottesville, Virginia, where White supremacists and Neo-Nazis terrorized the nation by protesting while carrying tiki torches, confederate flags, and swastika symbols, showed that America’s racist past is once again re-emerging on a national scale when the wounds barely even began to heal. The protests also turned violent when a terrorist plowed his car into a crowd of counter protesters, killing one and injuring many. Following the horrifying events, Trump conducted a press conference, where he actually defended those acts of terrorism. The protesters should be called out for what they are–and that is terrorists. Just because they didn’t have a “Muslim” sounding name or darker skin, but instead names like Billy or Becky and white skin, does not mean they are an exclusion to terrorism. It was clear then that we have a president who has allowed and will continue to allow for such hatred to be displayed– a president who defends White nationalism, Neo-Nazism, and racism.
Usually when I scroll through the news on social media and see so much violence and hatred spewed everywhere by Trump supporters, I am outraged–but this time it was different. This time I was disappointed and frustrated by the fact that we have even allowed for all of this to get so far. We have seen Nazism rise before, and the outcome was the Holocaust. We have seen the white nationalism that is the backbone of this nation before, and the result was slavery, then Jim Crow laws, segregation, and the lynchings of countless black people. It cannot happen again. History cannot be repeated once again right in front of our eyes, and that is why it is important now more than ever to mobilize in our communities and challenge such abhorrent groups, and the despicable presidency that supports them.
Dearborn’s demographic terrifies White supremacists. A city whose population of Arabs is almost 50 percent cannot sit back and just watch all of this unfold. Dearborn has the potential to lead revolutions and to rise up against the hate. It is important for the people of Dearborn to act, and act quickly. Hate is an open attack on tolerance and acceptance. It can tear communities apart and further divide people, so it must be stopped before it can do so. Protesting hate can be as simple as picking up the phone and calling friends and community members to host a community meeting in order to suggest some action. You can also attend a vigil, and pray for our communities. It is also crucial to join forces and create allies. Hate cannot withstand unity, because there is power in numbers. Organized allyship will be a powerful force against hate groups.
It is time for us to speak out and not let our silence be an approval for what is happening. Fear will not win, and hatred will not be tolerated. Imagine how powerful it would be if all people of color– in Dearborn and elsewhere–came together and banded against those White supremacist, Neo-Nazi terrorists. It would be Trump and his supporters’ worst nightmare. They are already terrified that America has become so diverse, so they would be mortified if the diverse people of America united together and stood up against the hate.
Dearborn Blog 